Secretary for Education Michael Suen has appointed Professor Cheng Kai-ming as Standing Committee on Language Education & Research Chairman for two years from July 1.

Seven new members - Prof Chan Shui-duen, Dr Ho Hau-ching, Jane Leung, Amy Blanche, Raphael Tong, Anson Yang and Prof Stephen Andrews - have been appointed, while the remaining five serving members have been reappointed. All appointments are for two years.

Prof Cheng is the Senior Adviser to the University of Hong Kong's Vice-Chancellor. He has extensive experience and knowledge in teacher education, and the local and overseas education systems. He headed the Advisory Committee on Teacher Education & Qualifications from 2002 to 2008.

Describing Prof Cheng as a reputable educationalist, Mr Suen said he is not only committed to building a professional teaching force but is also renowned in the area of educational research. His appointment will help lead the committee to continue its promotion of biliteracy and trilingualism.

He thanked outgoing chairman Michael Tien for leading the committee in conducting a comprehensive review of Hong Kong's language education, which laid a solid foundation for the subject's future development.

Mr Suen also thanked outgoing members Stephen Chan, Shirley Duthie, Junia Ho, Caroline Mak, Dr Evelyn Man, Or Ho Yim-ching and Dr Wong Pui-kwong for their contribution to the committee's work.